High Value Manufacturing Catapult Baglan: Statement

The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult is delighted to be collaborating with the Welsh Government on a new digital factory hub to advance manufacturing technology innovation and support Wales’ green industrial transformation.

The collaborative partnership site, at the Bay Technology Centre in Port Talbot, builds on the success of HVM Catapult’s centre in North Wales, AMRC Cymru. It will house state-of-the-art equipment provided by the Welsh Government, including a SMART workbench, robot station and the latest 3D printing technologies.

HVM Catapult Baglan is a partnership between HVM Catapult, funded by UK government, and the Welsh Government.

HVM Catapult chief executive, Katherine Bennett CBE, said: “This announcement, bringing the entire capability of HVM Catapult to South Wales, is a fantastic way to kick-start 2024.

“The success of our first site in North Wales, AMRC Cymru, has proven how close collaboration between government, industry and academia can boost productivity and sustainability across Wales’ supply chains. This additional presence will enable those benefits for many more Welsh manufacturers as they tap into expertise from AMRC Cymru and the HVM Catapult network, in areas such as decarbonisation, digitalisation and skills development.”

A small team at HVM Catapult Baglan, comprising locally recruited employees, engineers from AMRC Cymru and secondees from other HVM Catapult centres, will start operating in 2024. The hub will be run by AMRC Cymru, part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the team will include digital, automation and design engineers.

Read more about HVM Catapult Baglan on the Welsh Government website.